--- description: From friendship to career-related emails, these tips will make your life and job a lot easier. title: How to Make Your Life Better by Sending 5 Simple Emails image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8ff2fdd00ee4c325/69887d6ccf40a881c3c41f11/mail-send-easy-letters-life-better.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [motto](/tag/motto/) ## motto Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # How to Make Your Life Better by Sending 5 Simple Emails by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Feb 12, 2016 4:22 PM CUT  Mailboxes in dry rural landscape Mailboxes in dry rural landscapeGetty Images by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Feb 12, 2016 4:22 PM CUT I’ve covered a lot of research on how to make your life better but many people struggle with implementing changes because it seems like a major undertaking. It doesn’t have to be. You can make strides in five fundamental areas by just sending five emails. **1\. FOR YOUR HAPPINESS: Every morning, send a friend, family member or co-worker an email to say thanks for something.** Might sound silly but it’s actually excellent advice on how to make your life better. There’s [tons](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/04/how-to-quickly-and-easiy-feel-happier-and-mor/ "undefined") and [tons](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/08/can-writing-make-you-happier/ "undefined") and [tons](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/04/what-are-quick-little-things-you-can-do-to-in/ "undefined") of research showing that over time, this alone – one silly email a day – can make you happier. Via Harvard professor Shawn Achor’s [The Happiness Advantage:](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307591549/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0307591549 "undefined") --- > “” --- (More on [increasing happiness here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/here-are-the-things-that-are-proven-to-make-y/ "undefined").) **_Barking Up the Wrong Tree:_**[_What do people regret the most before they die?_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/12/what-do-people-regret-the-most-before-they-di/ "undefined") **2\. FOR YOUR JOB: At the end of the week, send your boss an email and sum up what you’ve accomplished.** They probably have no idea what you’re doing with your time. They’re busy. They have their own problems. For your boss, this let’s them know what you’ve been up to without having to ask and saves them from wondering and worrying. They’ll appreciate it and probably come to rely on it. For you, it’s proactive and shows off your efforts, which [Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer says is the key to success](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/interview-stanford-mba-school-professor-teaches-secret-promotions-raises-power/ "undefined") in any organization: --- > “” --- (More on [improving your work life here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/01/checklist-effective-work/ "undefined").) **3\. FOR YOUR GROWTH: Once a week email a potential mentor.** Doesn’t have to be related to your job. Who do you admire that you could learn from? As I’ve blogged about before, [mentors are key to success](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/02/find-best-mentor/ "undefined"). Via [The Genius in All of Us: New Insights into Genetics, Talent, and IQ](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307387305/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0307387305&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- This is one of those things everyone seems to know but nobody does anything about. It’s the age of the internet, folks. If you have Google and half an ounce of resourcefulness it’s not that hard to find almost anyone’s email address. If they have a website, their email is probably listed on it. What do you write? Try [Adam’s method](http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130624114114-69244073-6-ways-to-get-me-to-email-you-back "undefined") or [Tim’s method](http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/05/19/5-tips-for-e-mailing-busy-people/ "undefined") or [Ramit’s method](http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/video-how-to-use-natural-networking-to-connect-with-anyone/ "undefined"). (More on the [power of mentors here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/02/find-best-mentor/ "undefined").) **4\. FOR YOUR SOCIAL LIFE:** **Email a good friend and make plans.** What does research say keeps friendships alive? [Staying in touch every 2 weeks](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/12/what-keeps-friendships-alive/ "undefined"). Got 14 friends? Then you need to be emailing somebody every day. And what should you email them about? Make plans to get together. Research shows [the best use of electronic communication is to facilitate face-to-face interaction](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/09/how-you-can-use-technology-to-make-you-happie/ "undefined"): --- > “” --- (More on [improving friendships here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/09/5-ways-to-strengthen-your-friendships/ "undefined").) **5\. FOR YOUR CAREER: Send an email to someone you know (but don’t know very well) and check in.** These “weak ties” are the primary source of future career opportunities. From Charles Duhigg’s excellent book [_The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400069289/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400069289 "undefined"): --- > “” --- “But I don’t know what to say.” Do any little thing that benefits them, not you. Try [Adam Rifkin’s 5 minute favor](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/interview-wharton-business-school-professor-teaches-approach-give/ "undefined"). Or just send them a link they might find useful. **_Barking Up the Wrong Tree:_** [_What 5 Things Can Make Sure You Never Stop Growing and Learning?_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/11/never-stop-growing-learning/ "undefined") Still stuck? Okay, send them the link to the post you’re reading right now. If this has helped you with how to make your life better it can probably help them too. ;) (More on [how to network effectively here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/how-to-network/ "undefined").) **Join 45K+ readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD "undefined") _This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/ "undefined")_._ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4218625/five-simple-emails/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4218625/five-simple-emails/"},"headline":"How to Make Your Life Better by Sending 5 Simple Emails","datePublished":"2016-02-12T16:22:46.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T09:01:51.021Z","description":"How to make your life better? 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